Assembly adopts crab-relief funds, writes off delinquent tax accounts and reprioritizes ARPA spending

The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly on Feb. 6 adopted several fiscal and contract actions including acceptance of fisheries disaster funds, a write-off of uncollectible personal tax accounts, a reprioritization of remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and a facilities maintenance contract.

Ordinance FY2025-12: The assembly unanimously approved Ordinance FY2025-12 to accept and appropriate disaster grant funds tied to Bristol Bay king crab and Bering Sea snow crab fishery losses. Borough manager Amy Williams told the assembly that Kodiak Island Borough is eligible to receive $53,182.40 in disaster funds tied to local landings and associated severance taxes collected on those landings. Roll-call vote: 7 yes, 0 no.

Ordinance FY2025-13 (tax write-offs): Staff reported nine personal tax accounts determined uncollectible after exhausting legal collection efforts and requested a write-off totaling $15,190.98 (base taxes $10,630.17; penalties/interest $3,959.87; miscellaneous fees $601.14). One assembly member opposed the write-off pending explicit evidence from debt buyers that further collection would be unsuccessful. The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote of 6 yes, 1 no.

Ordinance FY2025-14 (ARPA/SLFRF reallocation): The assembly considered a prioritized list of projects to obligate $1,746,553 in remaining state and local fiscal recovery funds (SLFRF). Staff said the priority order was intended as an “insurance policy” to ensure multiple projects with near-term reporting obligations are funded before the ARPA spend deadline. The list places turnout equipment for Bayside and Women’s Bay volunteer fire departments at the top, followed by several projects with immediate reporting needs (roof design, health insurance premiums for six months, landfill and KFRC items) and later the planned abatement of two former mental-health buildings. After extended discussion about reporting deadlines and ability to reassign funds, the ordinance passed by a roll-call vote of 5 yes, 2 no.

Contract FY2025-42 (KFRC elevator): The assembly authorized the borough manager to execute a contract with TK Elevator Corporation for Kodiak Fisheries Research Center elevator maintenance and code-required testing, not to exceed $34,300. Staff received one responsive bid; a prior contract (FY2020) had a not-to-exceed amount of $25,000. Roll-call vote: 7 yes, 0 no.

Planning & Zoning appointments: The assembly confirmed mayoral appointments of Sean Cleary (city seat, term to 12/31/2025) and Nicholas Mangini (city seat, term to 12/31/2027) to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Roll-call vote: 7 yes, 0 no.

What the motions mean: All three ordinances and the contract were moved, seconded and decided by roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes. The ARPA prioritization includes staff direction and reporting requirements tied to federal SLFRF rules; staff emphasized that projects with expenses needing to be reported by April 30 were intentionally prioritized above the abatement project to protect the borough’s ability to claim those expenditures.

Next steps: Staff will implement the approved contract and fiscal actions and continue monitoring ARPA reporting and contract obligations. The assembly will receive future updates as projects progress and as staff completes required reporting and contracting steps.